Headline News

20, July 2017

African Development Bank to fund rail line linking Ngaoundere and N’jamena ⁰

The Government of Cameroon and that of Chad have signed an aide-memoire with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to extend the railway network linking Ngaoundere in Cameroon and Djamena in Chad. Cameroon’s Minister of Transport, Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo’o chaired the signing ceremony on the 18th of July 2017. The document is in relation to feasibility studies carried out ahead of the construction of the railway linking both cities.

The general manager of Cooperation and Regional Integration, Charles Assamba Ongondo who signed on behalf of Cameroon explained that the three signatories had earlier on, in consultation with the Cameroon – Chad Railway Commission, agreed to carry out studies for the railway. He observed that the board of AfDB will examine the file and decide if they will provide the finances.

For his part, Minister Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo’o opined that the aide-memoire shall be presented in the next board meeting of the Cameroon – Chad Railway Commission. The railway extension is expected to cover a distance of 900km. The project will be financed to the tune of close to 5000 billion CFAF. This will add up to the transport networks linking up Cameroon and Chad.

Source: CRTV

20, July 2017

2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Cameroon reaffirms readiness to host despite concerns ⁰

Cameroon’s Sports Minister has said that the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead in the country despite concerns over the pace of preparations. Recent reports suggest that stadium construction is behind schedule while Cameroon also faces economic problems.

“Despite security concerns, social and economic crises, the government and President Paul Biya are totally engaged to do everything for the Nations Cup to go ahead,” said Ismael Bidoung. In the wake of concerns aired about Cameroon’s readiness, North African nations Algeria and Morocco have recently put themselves forward as back-up options for the finals.

Bidoung said that group games will take place in five cities, with Limbe having been added to the four venues mentioned in Cameroon’s original bid: Bafoussam, Douala, Garoua and the capital Yaounde. However, more venues are needed for the teams’ training – some of which were already used when Cameroon hosted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations last year.

“Of the 32 stadia required for the 2019 Nations Cup, the 11 that served for the 2016 Women Africa Cup of Nations are ready and functional,” said Bidoung. “For the 21 other stadia, 14 are under rehabilitation and 7 are still to be constructed.” Cameroon are the reigning African champions, having beaten Egypt in February’s final in Gabon.

Source: Vanguard

20, July 2017

Amnesty says Boko Haram suspects tortured in Cameroon ⁰

Suspected Boko Haram fighters have been “brutally tortured” by security forces in Cameroon, a rights group says. Amnesty International said in a report that the suspects, including women and children, were beaten, water-boarded and forced into stress positions.

The cases allegedly happened between 2013 and 2017, and dozens of detainees died as a result, it added. Cameroon’s government has not commented. Boko Haram frequently carries out attacks in the country.

The Islamist group, based in neighbouring Nigeria, has killed more than 1,500 civilians in Cameroon since 2014, and abducted many others, Amnesty said. Victims described a least 24 methods of torture at more than 20 different sites, the report said.

In one of those places, it said, there was the presence of US and French military personnel. There was no evidence that foreign forces were involved, but Amnesty urged both countries to investigate the allegations. The report added that people suspected of supporting the militants were often being detained without evidence.

Source: BBC

19, July 2017

Decision to revamp Africa Cup of Nations within the next 48 hours ⁰

The Africa Cup of Nations could be revamped – handing European clubs a boost in the process. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have proposed moving the tournament to the summer, outside of the regular European leagues season, as well as expanding their biannual tournament to 24 teams.

The competition, which currently takes place during January and February, denied Everton of Idrissa Gueye last season, with the midfielder representing Senegal.

With new signing Henry Onyekuru recently capped by Nigeria, as well as Yannick Bolasie a full international for DR Congo, any rule change would help the Blues and many other English clubs in the 2018/19 season. The next tournament is set to run between January 12 and February 3 in 2019, taking place in Cameroon.

“From a sporting perspective, it will allow more opportunity for footballers across the continent,” said Nigerian Football Federation president Amaju Pinnock, who is also a CAF executive committee member.

“It will increase revenue for CAF and we can triple our income. It will also force more infrastructure development.” A decision could be made within the next 48 hours.

Source: Liverpoolecho

19, July 2017

Rabat: Format and timing of the Africa Cup of Nations up for discussion ⁰

The format and timing of the Africa Cup of Nations is up for discussion as a two-day symposium on the future of the continental game has got under way in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.

“That is the first thing to talk about – we can’t get away from it,” said Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Ahmad in his opening address. The Nations Cup’s timing in January and February has long been a source of conflict for clubs in Europe, where many Africans play.

European clubs have long been angered by losing players during a crucial stage of the season to the Nations Cup, which sparks a club v country row every two years. Compounding the clubs’ concerns is the fact that their players often come back fatigued from Africa’s flagship sporting event.

Ahead of this year’s Nations Cup in Gabon, an unprecedented number of players turned down call-ups to stay with their clubs. This included seven Cameroonians who refused to turn out for the team that eventually won the title.

The finals could also be boosted from 16 teams to 24 – while a less likely switch is for the tournament to take place every four, rather than two, years.

Source: BBC

19, July 2017

French army chief resigns ⁰

France’s military chief has resigned following a public dispute with President Emmanuel Macron over the government’s proposed defense budget cuts. The head of the French armed forces, General Pierre de Villiers, said in a statement on Wednesday that he had tendered his resignation to the president and that it had been accepted.

Villiers explained that with the financial constraints imposed on the army, he was “no longer able to guarantee the robust defense force I believe is necessary to guarantee the protection of France and the French people, today and tomorrow, and to sustain the aims of our country.”

A disagreement between the army chief and Macron started last week when the government revealed the details of a plan to make 850-million-euro cuts to the 2017 military spending. The government said the move was aimed at bringing France’s deficit to below the European Union’s limit of 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

The general protested the plan the following day at the president’s own council of defense and the parliament’s defense commission. Macron reacted to his remarks last Friday, saying, “For me, it is undignified to wash dirty linen in public. I am your leader; I need no pressure, no comment.”

Only two days later, Macron told Journal du Dimanche that if de Villiers “has an issue with the President of the Republic, the chief of staff will be changed.” General de Villiers reacted in a Facebook post this week, saying he could resign.

His open disagreement with Macron was untypical of French military officials, who are historically silent on government policy. The French army is nicknamed “la grande muette” — “the great and silent” — because of that tradition.

But Macron has come under fire over the cuts from other parties, too, including members of his own party. The chairman of the parliamentary committee on defense, Jean-Jacques Bridey, who is also a Macron ally, said last week that he regretted the proposed cuts “while our men risk their lives every day.” Alexis Corbière, a leftwing member of the National Assembly, also warned that consequences of austerity on the French army would be “intolerable.”

Source: Presstv

19, July 2017

Minister Bidoung Mpkwatt says Cameroon able to host best Africa Cup of Nations ⁰

The construction and renovation of football and other sporting facilities to host the 2019 AFCON games in Cameroon will be completed three months before the start of the football tournament according to a Biya comedian heading the ministry of sports and physical education.

Cameroon’s Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Bidoung Mpkwatt assured stakeholders during a media outing on the 18th of July 2017 at the Yaoundé Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium. He opined that all facilities to be used during the competition will be constructed and old ones renovated in conformity with the African Football Confederation standards and on record time.

The Sports Minister made the declaration a day after the Italian ambassador and other officials involved in the construction of the Paul Biya stadium in Olembe made similar pronouncements to the media. It’s worth observing that matches for the AFCON 2019 will be staged in many stadiums in the country including Limbe, Douala, Yaoundé and Bafoussam.

Source: CRTV

19, July 2017

Biya Olembe Stadium: A new job for the Italian ambassador ⁰

The Italian Company, Piccini that won the contract for the construction of the sixty thousand-seat capacity Stadium in Olembe-Yaounde has reassured authorities that the football infrastructure will be ready by October 2018. The officials of the Italian Company, Piccini and the Italian Ambassador to Cameroon, made the declaration on Monday 17th July 2017 during a press briefing at the Italian Embassy in Yaoundé.

The Italian Ambassador to Cameroon, Samuela Isopi and the Architect of the structure, Eloy Suarez elaborately detailed how the company intends to proceed. In the three hour briefing, Her Excellency Samuela Isopi dispelled rumors and reports that the company charged with the construction of the football facility were not competent to do the job.

The Italian Ambassador undertook to organize a regular briefing to update the press on the progress of work. The Architect, Eloy Suarez stated emphatically that the structure will be delivered in eighteen months. Mr. Suarez said most of the work in the site will consist of assembling the pre-cast equipment; over 60 per cent of parts of the building will be produced in Italy and transported to Cameroon through the Kribi port in order to gain time.

He explained that the facility will be constructed using the latest technology and state of art equipment in conformity with FIFA standards. The Project Director, Marc Debandt for his part stated that work will accelerate in the days ahead with the complete arrival of material from Italy.

The Chargé de Mission, Gabriel Ngaha said the FCFA 160 billion allotted for the construction has been made available, there are consequently no issues relative to late payments as reported by some press organs and the social media. During the briefing, the press learnt more about the Italian company Piccini that has been entrusted with the Paul Biya Omnisport Staduim at Olembe.

It is a company with a thirty year experience that has realized outstanding projects including the construction of the Juventus Stadium in Italy, one of the best in the world, the construction of the Olympic Stadium in Anthens, the Olympic Stadium in Rome that was used for the 1990 World Cup and many more.

Source: CRTV

19, July 2017

Trump, Putin had second, undisclosed talk at G20 summit ⁰

US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had a second and previously undisclosed meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Germany earlier this month, US officials say. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer confirmed on Tuesday that the two held an informal talk during the dinner at the summit in the German city of Hamburg on July 7, hours after their first formal bilateral sit-down.

US National Security Council spokesman Michael Anton also acknowledged that a second meeting had taken place at the world leaders’ dinner, with Trump leaving his seat to occupy an empty chair next to Putin.

“There was a couples-only social dinner at the G20. Toward the end, the President spoke to Putin at the dinner,” Anton said in an interview with CNN. “No staff or Cabinet were at the dinner at all, for any of the countries,” with the exception of translators. The two leaders did not go to a separate room for their conversation, but remained in the main room where the dinner was being hosted, according to Anton. The official declined to provide further details on the Trump-Putin conversation, citing the fact that no staff were present at the time.

During their first formal and face-to-face meeting on that day, the two presidents exchanged viewpoints on a host of international problems and bilateral issues such as the ongoing crises in Syria and Ukraine, anti-terrorism campaign and cyber security. News of the second encounter came as Trump was struggling at home with a deepening scandal over alleged Russian efforts to help him defeat his rival Hillary Clinton in the last year’s White House race.

The scandal has now entangled his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, who last week released emails purportedly showing he embraced Russia’s efforts to support his father’s presidential campaign, and admitting he would “love” to get dirt from Moscow on Clinton. Trump later defended his son, praising his “transparency” for releasing the email chain and again condemning the investigation about whether Moscow helped him win the White House last November.

Source: Presstv

18, July 2017

Samuel Eto’o, Kalusha Bwalya, Okocha in Morocco to brighten up Africa Cup of Nations ⁰

African football legends have started a two-day symposium on the future of the beautiful game in the continent. The forum was summoned by the newly elected president of the African Football Confederation, Malagasy Ahmad four months after his electoral victory against Issa Hayatou.

Malagasy Ahmad whose campaign slogan was “Together for Change” invited prominent African football heroes and leaders of the 55 football associations that constitute the CAF body. The meeting started today Tuesday the 18th of July 2017 in Rabat, Morocco.

The continent’s biggest names in football participating in the conclave are Samuel Eto’o Fils, Bell Joseph Antoine, Abedi Pelé, Jay-Jay Okocha, Anthony Baffoe, Kalusha Bwalya and Herve Renard who has won the African nations cup with two different nations.

The participants are working in eight workshops on topics related to the organization of African Nations Cup, inter-club competitions, youth football, media, marketing and communication. Rumors had circulated in Yaoundé that CAF intended to strip Cameroon off the right to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

But we now understand the reforms that will emerge from this symposium will be proposed to the next General Assembly of CAF for adoption. The Rabat come together is not a decision-making body and has no statutory existence.

By Eyong Johnson with files from Cameroon Info.Net